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BEFORE YOUR STUDENT LEAVES
Obtain Guest Access to Act on Your Student's Behalf
Because of student privacy laws, you need to be given permission to talk to BYU about your student’s account or access their account online. Your student can give you permission through guestaccess.byu.edu. This is also the portal you will use to access your student’s online account.
Create a Class Schedule
Your student can register for General Education (GE), religion, or major classes. You can look at their Major Academic Plan (MAP) to see (1) which courses are suggested or required, and (2) what order is recommended for those courses. We recommend you consult with an academic advisor for specific guidance.
Subscribe to Parent & Family Newsletter
Subscribe to our Parent and Family Newsletter to receive a regular updates about how to navigate BYU, dates, deadlines, and tips for your student.
WHILE YOUR STUDENT IS AWAY
Apply for Scholarships
If your student deferred any scholarships from before their mission, the scholarship money will apply to their student account automatically if they register for the minimum required credit hours. Returning missionaries can apply for scholarships and must submit the online scholarship application by the appropriate deadline to be considered for academic, need-based, and private scholarships.
Apply for Financial Aid
If your student is interested in applying for federal financial aid (pell grants and loans) for the semester they return, they'll need to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF YOUR STUDENT'S RETURN
Renew Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Your student must receive a new ecclesiastical endorsement as they return from their mission. If your student is currently serving, their mission president will complete the endorsement. If they're home, their bishop and a member of the stake presidency will complete it. The earliest your student can submit an endorsement is nine months before they return to BYU. The university must receive your student's endorsement before they can register.
Register for Classes
Your student will be assigned a priority registration date which is the date when they can begin registering for classes. Find their priority registration date on MyMAP under the Registration tab.
Find Housing
Finding a place to live near campus is important! For their first two semesters as a BYU student, all single undergraduate students must live (1) in BYU On-Campus Housing, (2) in BYU Off-Campus Contracted Housing, or (3) with qualifying family members. Students are eligible but are not required to live on-campus or in BYU off-campus contracted housing once they have completed two semesters at BYU. There are on-campus housing communities for students who are 19 or older, and some on-campus housing options may require students to have a meal plan. Meal plans may make it easier for them by saving time and/or money.
Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) Test
If your student's missionary service was outside of the United States or Canada for six months or more, Utah state law requires them to have a tuberculosis skin test. They must comply by the first day of classes, or a TB hold will be placed on their record. International students must also comply or their student visa status may be terminated. Contact the Student Health Center to make an appointment.
Enroll In or Waive Student Health Plan
Students enrolled in at least 9 semester credits/4.5 term credits are required to have health insurance coverage year-round. Students are automatically enrolled in BYU’s student health plan one week before classes start if private insurance has not been reported. However, if your student has their own health insurance, they will need to waive the Student Health Plan online to avoid paying for it. New students will have access to waive the plan approximately one month prior to classes starting. The deadline to waive the BYU Student Health Plan is the semester add/drop deadline.
Update Personal Info
Once your student has returned from their mission, they should update their personal information online. This will help ensure they are receiving emails and notifications again from BYU.
FLAS: Foreign Language & Area Studies Scholarship
Many missionaries are assigned to learn a language. If your student learned an underrepresented language and plan to use the language in their future career, they could be eligible for a scholarship.
